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Run: Brushy Creek

Section:

Class: I Put-In: Brushy Lake

Gradient: 6'/mile Take-Out: F.S. Road 255 (Hickory Grove Rd.)

Length: 10 Water Q:

Shuttle: FR245-Mt. Olive / SR33 / CR76 / CR63 / ? - FR255 Delorme Gazeteer: P. 24 B1/C1

Links: TOPO MAP Primary Gage:

MAP Required Level:

PICTURES Indicator Gage: CR 60, Sipsey at Grayson Bridge

TRIP REPORT Required Level: 180 cfs? (semi-guess)

Notes:

Brushy Creek is a Class I (II) creek located entirely within the Bankhead National Forest in north Alabama. Brushy is the twin sister of the much better known Sipsey River (West Fork of the Sipsey). The big difference is that the Sipsey has achieved National Wild and Scenic status and Brushy is not listed. The trip down Brushy is as scenic as the Sipsey and features steep canyon walls and several waterfalls on small tributary streams. The canoeing season is usually during the winter and early spring.

The put-in is at Brushy Lake; park at the picnic area (a fee is charged by the National Forest Service), canoe across the lake and take-out on the right side of the dam. The dam portage is fairly easy, but you have to lift your canoes over a fence and down a rocky hill. Generally, if the first shoal below the dam is runnable, there will be enough water to float the creek. Here's a rundown on major features:

Mile 1 - small feeder stream on west has a beautiful waterfall about 1/4 mile upstream.

Mile 2 - Beech Creek enters on river right.

Mile 2.8 - "The String of Beads"; a series of rocks strewn along the left shore constricting the flow of the creek. Coal Mine Branch enters on river left. The branch has a shallow, settler-dug coal mine in the bluff lines. There is beautiful waterfall at the head of the branch.

Mile 4.3 - Collier Creek enters on river right

Mile 6 - Sougahoagdee Creek enters on river right. Be sure to stop here and go up the creek to one of the most magnificent waterfalls in the forest. It isn't far and you won't want to miss this sight!

Mile 7 - Rush Creek enters on river left. I have heard that Rush is a great run in high water, but haven't tried it yet.

Mile 7.5 - A small waterfalls where a creek enters on river left.

Mile 8 - Take-out at Hickory Grove Road (FS Road 255).

Information for this trip taken from an article in the "Bankhead Monitor", "Canoeing Brushy Creek".

At 600 cfs on the Sipsey gauge, as of May 5, 2009 there were several strainers that required maneuvering and a couple that were real hazards with a fast flow.

At flows higer than 1100 cfs on the Sipsey gauge, the low bridge at the takeout could become a serious hazard . The fast moving water is right at the bridge level and the hydraullics are squirrelly around the bridge.

The shuttle for Brushy can be run to the east or west of the creek. The west route is Mt Olive Rd to CR 63 (by Grayson) to Hickory Grove Rd. The last turn is at a small church in a clearing. This route
is longer and slower, but the roads are much better after heavy rain (not as muddy). The faster route to the east is just Mt Olive Rd to Hickory Grove. Mt Olive Rd abruptly turns south at a triangular shaped
intersection just over a mile east of Brushy Lake. There is some parking on both sides at the takeout bridge. The south side (river right) has a little more room for turning around.


Run:	Brushy Creek
Section:

Class:	I	Put-In:	Brushy Lake
Gradient:	6'/mile	Take-Out:	F.S. Road 255 (Hickory Grove Rd.)
Length:	10	Water Q:
Shuttle:	FR245-Mt. Olive / SR33 / CR76 / CR63 / ? - FR255	Delorme Gazeteer:	P. 24 B1/C1
Links:	TOPO MAP	Primary Gage:
	MAP	Required Level:
	PICTURES	Indicator Gage:	CR 60, Sipsey at Grayson Bridge
	TRIP REPORT	Required Level:	180 cfs? (semi-guess)
Notes:
Brushy Creek is a Class I (II) creek located entirely within the Bankhead National Forest in north Alabama. Brushy is the twin sister of the much better known Sipsey River (West Fork of the Sipsey). The big difference is that the Sipsey has achieved National Wild and Scenic status and Brushy is not listed. The trip down Brushy is as scenic as the Sipsey and features steep canyon walls and several waterfalls on small tributary streams. The canoeing season is usually during the winter and early spring. The put-in is at Brushy Lake; park at the picnic area (a fee is charged by the National Forest Service), canoe across the lake and take-out on the right side of the dam. The dam portage is fairly easy, but you have to lift your canoes over a fence and down a rocky hill. Generally, if the first shoal below the dam is runnable, there will be enough water to float the creek. Here's a rundown on major features: Mile 1 - small feeder stream on west has a beautiful waterfall about 1/4 mile upstream. Mile 2 - Beech Creek enters on river right. Mile 2.8 - "The String of Beads"; a series of rocks strewn along the left shore constricting the flow of the creek. Coal Mine Branch enters on river left. The branch has a shallow, settler-dug coal mine in the bluff lines. There is beautiful waterfall at the head of the branch. Mile 4.3 - Collier Creek enters on river right Mile 6 - Sougahoagdee Creek enters on river right. Be sure to stop here and go up the creek to one of the most magnificent waterfalls in the forest. It isn't far and you won't want to miss this sight! Mile 7 - Rush Creek enters on river left. I have heard that Rush is a great run in high water, but haven't tried it yet. Mile 7.5 - A small waterfalls where a creek enters on river left. Mile 8 - Take-out at Hickory Grove Road (FS Road 255). Information for this trip taken from an article in the "Bankhead Monitor", "Canoeing Brushy Creek". At 600 cfs on the Sipsey gauge, as of May 5, 2009 there were several strainers that required maneuvering and a couple that were real hazards with a fast flow. At flows higer than 1100 cfs on the Sipsey gauge, the low bridge at the takeout could become a serious hazard . The fast moving water is right at the bridge level and the hydraullics are squirrelly around the bridge. The shuttle for Brushy can be run to the east or west of the creek. The west route is Mt Olive Rd to CR 63 (by Grayson) to Hickory Grove Rd. The last turn is at a small church in a clearing. This route is longer and slower, but the roads are much better after heavy rain (not as muddy). The faster route to the east is just Mt Olive Rd to Hickory Grove. Mt Olive Rd abruptly turns south at a triangular shaped intersection just over a mile east of Brushy Lake. There is some parking on both sides at the takeout bridge. The south side (river right) has a little more room for turning around.